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J.W. Anderson X UNIQLO is one of the most expected collaborations hitting their stores this autumn.

We caught up with the London-based designer to find out more about the line.

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PP: Have you been a UNIQLO fan for years? What attracts you about their clothing and concept?

JWA: Uniqlo is truly my uniform! The clothes are simple and essential yet universal.

PP: When did you first evoke a possible collaboration together? And how long did it take to make it happen?

JWA: Everything started over a year ago, both teams bonded right away and here we are.

PP: One of your desires within the line was to democratize your work in order to reach a wider audience.

JWA: I wanted to re-propose the timeless British Classics – a duffel coat, aran and fairisle knits, a mackintosh coat, striped scarves, checked shirts and other staples. Every single detail mattered, so it was me trying on a lot of clothing to check it. I’m really looking forward to seeing how people wear the collection.

PP: What are your favourite pieces within the collection?

JWA: A few seasons ago, we tried to create a puffer jacket, but we didn’t have the knowledge or the technology that Uniqlo has - so of all the things that was the mission! I wanted a tartan printed puffer that I could wear.

PP: Would you do such collaborations with other brands in the future?

JWA: Sure, this is not my first actually, I did two for TopShop before.

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/ Interview by Philippe Pourhashemi /

/ Photography by Sander + Gretar /

/ Art Direction Pierre Daras /

/ Make-Up by Noel Inocencio for MAC Cosmetics /

/ featuring Fedor at Rebel Management /

/ www.uniqlo.com / 

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// AN INTERPRETATION //

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/ photo by JAN & JORRE /

/ style by MICHAEL MARSON /

/ Make-Up & Hair by Sigrid Volders for Chanel & Kevin Murphy  /

/ feat. Klaudia at IMM & Axel at Hakim Model Management /

/ All clothes by KENZO X H&M /

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// JCDC X PETIT BATEAU //

Exclusive ITW with

Jean-Charles de Castelbajac.

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What is your first memory of Petit Bateau?

The most beautiful girlfriend in a tank top, named Isabelle. I was 17 years old in Saint-Gildas-de-Rhuys in the French region of Morbihan.

You are a collector of collaborations (J.M. Weston, Cartier, Cachou, Air France, Swatch, Larousse, etc...). Rethinking the Petit Bateau ‘Marinière’ seems quite logical, why did this collaboration come so late?

It is destiny. Everything has its own time. I still have a number of other legendary brands to rethink.

People call you a fashion designer, artist and author. Which of these roles gives you most pleasure?

They all move me and push me forward. I put myself at risk taking on other experiences that allow my art to progress and make my universe richer. I think my primary goal is still to find love and serenity, because I have realised that life is not about trying out everything, it is about focusing on the essentials.

After 40 years of creation, your stylistic grammar hasn’t lost its strength or uniqueness. How do you see this?

I remain loyal to myself, but never a copy of myself. I am looking for something beyond, I am my own most serious critic. In the meantime I am a fan of the genius in others. I love making the work of the grandest my own and give it a place in my own universe. 

And I only have one flag: the sky’s!

Like the vision of the child in you, or like an adult’s vision on childhood?

I will always be a child, because life has decided to start mine as an adult.

Three words that define your style?

History, accident, pop, mystery.

Three words that define you as a person?

Sprezzature, dandystopique, lineage, friendship.

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Available in selected Petit Bateau stores from 19th October

/ITW by SANDRINA FASOLI & Illustration by Cedrik Toselli /

/photo & production by MICHAEL MARSON/model Tyas from Jill Models/